December 14, 2021

Virtual Sing-Along, Christmas Mass Schedule, Giving Opportunities and so much more!

Saint Josephine

Bakhita Parish

December 14, 2021

Advent at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Greetings and blessings!

Christmas will be here in no time at all. Now we need to enter into the question of whether or not we will be ready for Christmas. When asking if we are ready, let us not ask the question from the perspective of will our presents be purchased, our cards and packages me shipped, our baking done. Rather, will we really be prepared?

Will we have rethought the deeper meaning of Christmas? Will it dawn on us anew that Christmas means that you and I are already in the presence of Jesus? Will we be reconfirmed in the fact that in Jesus we find the human example of how we are meant to live? Will we be convinced that the greatest gifts we can give and receive are love, joy, peace, and hope?

Yes just a few more short days!! So, let us thank God that we do not have to wait any longer. We can begin living Christmas right now.

A special word of gratitude to Kathy Miehlke, Erica McKenzie, Aaron Kostross and Cheryl Czech for their enthusiastic and positive response to the invitation to become commissioned Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Their ministry is a unique and awesome role of being an instrument of the living presence of the Lord Jesus in the distribution of Holy Communion—Eucharist at our parish Masses. May they be blessed for their generosity and let us pray for them as they begin this wondrous ministry. I special thank you to Kathy Alexander for the training and coordination of all the Eucharistic Ministers for our entire parish community of faith. A special thank you to all the generous Eucharistic Ministers that are beginning to visit, once again, the many shut-ins and nursing facility residents.

Our beloved parish continues to offer opportunities for your spiritual journey through Advent. Learn more about Advent at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish below!

Peace,

Fr. George Couturier

Advent at Saint Josephine Bakhita at a Glance - Click Here

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 18-19, 2021

4 PM Vigil - St. James

9 AM - St. Elizabeth Seton & Livestreamed

11 AM - St. James & Livestreamed

*Masks strongly encouraged!*

Second Annual Virtual Caroling Event

Join Members of the Music Ministry in

singing your favorite Christmas Carols

Sunday, December 19 at 7:00 PM

streamed on Facebook

We especially encourage families with children to participate in this precious tradition of singing these rich and wonderful songs about the birth of Christ and some popular Christmas season songs too.

Pray the O Antiphons

The O Antiphons offer a beautiful way to pray through Advent. They are sung or recited to introduce the canticle of Mary (the Magnificat) at evening prayer from December 17 to December 23, the octave before Christmas. These antiphons are based on Isaiah’s prophecies and refer to the different ancient titles given to the Messiah:

O Sapientia (O Wisdom) See Isaiah 11:2–3; 28:29.

O Adonai (O Lord) See Isaiah 11:4–5; 33:22.

O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) See Isaiah 1:1; 11:10.

O Clavis David (O Key of David) See Isaiah 9:6; 22:22.

O Oriens (O Rising Sun) See Isaiah 9:1.

O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) See Isaiah 9:5; 2:4.

O Emmanuel (God with us) See Isaiah 7:14.

We can bring these responses into our own daily prayers in the days leading up to Christmas, as reminders of the one whose coming we are joyfully expecting, as introductions to our own prayers of praise of Jesus, or as words of thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness throughout the ages and our lives. Here are reflections to use and ideas for incorporating the O Antiphons.

December Faith Activity

Create Your Own Nativity Scene

Our faith formation students together with their families will create and construct the primary figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to make their own nativity scene. They can also add angels, shepherds and the three wise men to their scenes. Everyday household materials can be used along with your own creativity to create these figures. All parishioners are invited to join in this activity and share with us pictures of your own traditional family nativity sets. For more information, Click Here.

Send your pictures to reo@sjbrh.org.

Advent Daily Prayer

Fr. George and our parish Directors of Music Ministry will lead Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer online through Advent.

Morning Prayer: Streamed on Facebook at 5:00 AM and available after

Evening Prayer: Streamed on Facebook at 5:00 PM and available after

Advent Giving Opportunities

Advent Giving Project

Our Advent Giving Project will provide local shelters with items that are in high demand. Please consider picking up extras of the following items to donate to our collection. Together we can make a difference in the lives of those served by our local agencies.

Granola Bars, Crackers, Cookies (single serving packages)
Breakfast Cereal
Men’s T-shirts & Boxer Briefs (size L, XL, XXL)
Deodorant & Bar Soap (full size)

Donations can be dropped off at either church location:

St. James Church: Father Shea Hall, Mon-Fri (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.

St. Elizabeth Seton Church: Bins located near the Church kitchen, Mon - Fri (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.

Questions? Contact Carl Bach abcb1922@yahoo.com, Sandy Ambrose amb321@cox.net or Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com

Food & Cereal

For Our Local Pantries

We continue to seek food and cereal donations for our monthly delivery to the Rocky Hill and Amazing Grace food pantries. Non-perishable food items and cereal boxes can be dropped off at either church location:

St. James Church: Father Shea Hall, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.

St. Elizabeth Seton Church: Bins located near the kitchen, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.

Questions? Contact Sandy Ambrose amb321@cox.net or Carl Bach abcb1922@yahoo.com

Winter Clothing

Collection

The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Winter Clothing Collection started Monday, November 8. We accept Winter Clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church. Please note, we are no longer able to accept household goods.

Questions? Contact Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com